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The Restoration, Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks
TN13 1UW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Restoration
Attractive building dating from 1616 slightly hidden away in the 'Shambles' area, opened up and thoroughly refurbished some years ago by Shepherd Neame, albeit one which retains a bit of character. Typically mixed selection of furniture and decor, and outdoor seating in the pedestrianised area partly covered by a verandah. Just Master Brew and Whitstable Bay Pale (£5.75) from the three handpumps on this visit (my first for over 12 years, when it was still called The Black Boy).
On 23rd March 2026
- rating: 7
[User has posted 9119 recommendations about 9119 pubs]
David Walton left this review about The Restoration
Visited 10/11/25
Cask was the Shepherd Neame staples of Late Red, Master Brew and the Whitstable Bay Pale Ale. Keg was Moretti, First Drop session IPA, Hurlimann Helles lager, Spitfire, Singha, Whitstable Bay lager, Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale and Orchard View cider.
Quite a compact town centre Shepherd Neame venue. Bar counter dominates the rear of the venue on an attractive tile skirt. Quite a bit of leather banquette around the front and left-hand side and a drinking ledge with tall stools in the rear right-hand corner to that side of the bar counter. Plenty of regular tables on the main floor space, which was bare boarded. A small amount of outside seating area. Quite a cosy centre of town venue and great if you adore SN quaffs!
On 21st March 2026
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1590 recommendations about 1565 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Restoration
Located right in the heart of Sevenoaks town centre, the Restoration (formerly the Black Boy) is a smart food-led pub with a decent outdoor drinking area. The pub is quite old, but from what I saw of the interior, you wouldn’t really know this, as it’s been given a typical contemporary makeover, making it look much like any other corporate dining pub. The furniture appeared to be pretty good in terms of quality and variety, whilst the modern floorboards and plain painted walls help to ramp up the ‘mediocrity-factor’ even further. Having visited during the ‘outdoor-drinking only’ phase of the government’s roadmap, these were fairly fleeting impressions that may well change were I actually allowed to sit inside in a room full of other customers. The pub benefits from being situated on the junction of two pedestrian passageways, which has afforded the management the chance to spread out their al-fresco seating in a way that other town centre pubs appeared to be struggling to do. Several rows of decent garden furniture radiate out from the main entrance area, with some under a broad shelter with decorative filigree supports, that runs along one side of the pub. We’d called here for some lunch, having been impressed with the menu on their website, so were a little disappointed to find that they were only doing sandwiches since reopening, due to uncertainty over the weather/demand for food.
They had managed to get some ales on though, with a choice between Shepherd Neame Master Brew and Spitfire offering a degree of pleasure to cask-starved customers. The Spitfire was a hefty £4.55 for a pint but was in very good condition and slipped down nicely, despite being far from a personal favourite. My sandwich was okay but the loaded chips we also ordered were a bit of a soggy mess and didn’t get finished. The pub’s best asset appears to be its staff, of whom three or four crossed our path whilst we were here, all of whom were incredibly friendly and helpful.
I can’t really pretend to have seen this pub in the best light, but a few things stuck out to me. Firstly, the pub has a pretty generic corporate look to it, which is not to say that it’s unpleasant, just that you’ve seen it all before. Secondly, the beer range is Sheps, so your milage will vary based on your fondness for this particular brewery – for me, it marks the pub out as a better option for food than for a session on the beer. Finally, they scored a big win on the customer service front and no doubt will get a lot of repeat custom on the back of it. Overall, I didn’t mind the pub and would give it another go to check the interior out properly.
On 21st May 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3387 recommendations about 3387 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Black Boy
My pet hate.... waiting at the bar, bar staff busy sorting out Ice Cream orders, and they don't even bother to acknowledge you.
Lovely looking external - bright, gastro internal - three beers from Shepherds Neame. I know... I had ten minutes to look at the them, whilst holding a £20 aloft in the hope they might swap it for something.
Left, disgruntled, and went next door.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2G6jH6n
On 18th March 2018
- rating: 1
[User has posted 1799 recommendations about 1768 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Black Boy
From my time living here in the early 2000, this was a pub which had a board outside taking great pains to point out that the name wasn't intended as a racial slur but was historic. This was a pleasant pub, clearly aimed at those with a bit more money to spend.
I'd return if passing.
On 26th February 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2324 recommendations about 2267 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Black Boy
An old looking town pub set amongst a few narrow pedestrianised lanes probably once workers cottages but now bijou shops and cafes. The old feel vanishes on entering, the interior is modernised leaving little of obvious character. The ceiling and lower walls are clad in pastel cream and grey boarding, seating is mixed with an unusual circular area divided quarterly in the middle. An outdoor semi covered patio faces onto the street. Lots of chalkboards behind the bar with wine and gin lists, also rather facile quotations. Food looks a big player although not too fancy, snacks such as pork pies with piccalilli are available.
Shepherd Neame beers, only three on, Spitfire, Spitfire Gold and Whitstable Bay. £4.30 for the Spitfire. Service best described as perfunctory. A person on an adjoining table left without her hat so I duly took it up to the bar and explained. When I left a little while later it was still on the counter top.
On 22nd February 2018
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1711 recommendations about 1684 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Black Boy
This is what looks like an old Shepherd Neame pub that I can find no reference to in a Kent beer guide from over twenty years ago. It looks the real deal from the outside It's set just off the High Street with a fairly substantial sheltered outside area that overlooks the pedestrianised shopping street. Inside it is a single room, not that large compared to the size of the building with wooden floors and three hand pumps on the bar. These had the seasonal Early Bird, Spitfire and Whitstable Bay Pale. I went for the Pale (£3.65) which was in very good nick but a tad on the expensive side.
I though this place was reasonable enough but maybe a bit trendy for me.
On 17th May 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Black Boy
The Black Boy is an excellent Shepherd and Neame house which offers good food (almost but not quite a gastro-pub). It's an old town centre inn, original oak floor, exposed brickwork and some fairly tacky pine panelling, and an unoriginal fireplace, but it all fits in quite nicely together, although the aphorisms painted all around the walls are a bit naff. Staff are very friendly indeed, food was superb (although a bit pricey), today's newspapers were dotted around and the ambience was calm and pleasant. Two ales on - I had a pint of Late Red which was in first class condition. Highly recommended for lunch, a light evening meal, an evening's libation or just somewhere to hide from the wife.
On 2nd April 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3747 recommendations about 3707 pubs]